I don’t know about you but here is a little slice of what my Holidays usually resemble:
My husband who abhors traffic-I think it is truly the bane of his existence- he would be infinitely more eager to have a root canal than sit in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike- basically throws my kids and I out of bed- so that we can “beat the traffic” and get down to my sister’s house-in South Jersey–
So there we go- at 8:30 am- still yawning and sleepy bounding down the highway-oh, I forgot to mention that we always pick up my Mom along the way- and as we all know Mother-in-laws always provide that much needed comic relief to any situation-and of course she refused to sit up front with my husband so she squishes into the back seat- while my kids are recording 8,000 dubsmashes… and believe it or not–we still hit a few pockets of traffic- yes even at 9am in the morning!
By the time we get to my sister’s I’m already exhausted. But the truth is- the kids always have a blast, they ride bikes–What was up with that warm weather?!- eat way too many sweets, and as soon as we get them back in the car they fall fast asleep! Sure there is always a ton of traffic on the way home- and yes my husband winces a bit here and there…still it is worth every minute.
Maybe because I’m getting older and a bit more wistful about how I spend my time. I realize how precious these memories I am helping my kids create, are; sure we’ve got our dysfunction all the same-but without it we wouldn’t be who we are: complex multi-layered adults with baggage, bad habits, attitudes.
Yet what keeps us coming back- sharing these holidays –it’s really the unconditional love–no matter what- we’re blood- and inextricably linked for life- and the only people who will and are required to tolerate each other-for better or worse. In my case, thank goodness for these people I call my family- they are the ties that bind me- keep me grounded, and throw in just a bit of dysfunction to keep it interesting!
I love it. No family is perfect. What is important is that we love our families as they are. xo
I hate traffic too… but at least you’re not having stormy weather this year.
Our Christmas dinner is small, simple and only 2 blocks away at Janice’s house. Works for me!
Oh, the joy of holidays! Try to enjoy and rest a bit, friend !